Media gets story on ID wrong. News at eleven.
by KrauzeJoseph C. Campana has been digging into media reports about Templeton and intelligent design, talking to Charles L. Harper Jr., senior vice president of the John Templeton Foundation (JTF). Looks like the New York Times botched the story:
The media has misrepresented the record of the intelligent design research community. According to Charles Harper, the New York Times essentially invented the claim that they put out a call for research proposals to ID scholars, and then the article's author made up the notion that ID scholars failed to respond to this non-existent request. While the JTF clearly is not enthusiastic about ID, the record shows that the JTF has funded ID research and scholarship, as well as other activities by ID scholars, meaning that the New York Times' portrayal of the JTF's funding of ID was highly misleading. Also, the fact that Templeton gives funding to scholars that are using a particular framework does not mean that they "endorse" that view. Charles Harper's explanation that the New York Times completely invented this story appears even more credible given his lack of enthusiasm about intelligent design, and the fact that he has no motive to defend ID.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
The story was widely quoted at the time by those arguing ID should not be taken seriously. Why don't heads roll at a gross breach of journalistic ethics?
Comment by Bradford — February 28, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
February 28th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
One problem with the title: I don't think this would make the eleven o'clock news. Sad but true.
Comment by thechristiancynic — February 28, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
March 1st, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Not to be too pedantic or anything, but what part of the story is it you claim is in error?
1. The Templeton Foundation sponsored a few ID events
2. The Templeton Foundation was ready to sponsor research
3. No research proposals ever came in from ID people
4. Templeton is less happy with ID these days
The critical link is #3 — no research proposals ever came in from ID people. Still true. There are still no research proposals from ID people.
So what's the kick?
Comment by edarrell — March 1, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
March 1st, 2007 at 11:30 pm
edarrell, what part of the following did you not understand?
Comment by Bradford — March 1, 2007 @ 11:30 pm